Tag Archives: Belstaff

Josephine Meckseper comes from a family of artists, and she’s always known she was fated to continue on a creative path. Before moving to Los Angeles at a young age, Josephine grew up in Germany, attending political demonstrations and rebelling against the status quo — a nature that affects her art. She has long been fascinated by the voice of the people, and our interaction with consumerism. “You should never live in fear,” she wisely offers. Josephine’s life has been one of confident decisions.

In this film–one in an ongoing series of mini-docs created in partnership with Belstaff–Josephine describes the confidence and rebellion that have informed her life.

Julia Chaplin, a journalist, author, editor, and designer, is best known as the creator of Gypset.com and its companion book and resort clothing collection, inspiring an aspirational gypset lifestyle. Julia’s family has always been constantly on the move, their life philosophy informing her to this day. She always say ‘yes’, and she’s totally unafraid of taking a risk. Such boldness is cultivated over a lifetime.

In this film–one in an ongoing series of mini-docs created in partnership with Belstaff–Julia discusses the rebellion that inspires the travel and adventure that make up such a great part of her life.

Actor Annabelle Dexter-Jones has always been driven to make her own name for herself, standing out among her creative and talented family. Her rebellion was essential in establishing her own identity. She’s careful to point out that to her, rebellion isn’t about danger, but rather a curious state of mind. “Comfort is death,” she says definitively, and it’s clear that she lives by these words as she brushes aside moments of self-doubt and pursues her career on the screen.

In this film–one in an ongoing series of mini-docs created in partnership with Belstaff–Annabelle discusses the rebellion that drives her spirit of adventure and creativity.

Rachelle Hruska MacPherson moved to New York without knowing a soul in town, without a job, and even without a place to live–a gutsy move for anyone but particularly for a Midwestern girl from Nebraska. But it didn’t take her long to find her footing. Shortly after arrival, she then started the now famous site Guestofaguest.com. Motivated by an enthusiasm for the city and its people, she built the blog into the wildly influential chronicle of scene and social life that is today.

In this film–the first in an ongoing series of mini-docs created in partnership with Belstaff–Rachelle discusses the spirit of rebellion that drove her to roll the dice and ultimately achieve the kind of success that only comes to the bold.

Monday night, Belstaff and BlackBook joined forces for a dinner at Rosette on the Lower East Side to celebrate the women of New York: authorJulia Chaplin, actressAnnabelle Dexter Jones, Guest of a Guest founder Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, and artist Josephine Meckseper. As videos of the honorees were beamed from the cavernous bar area, guests enjoyed summery SVEDKA Clementine cocktails created for the event and named after each of the four women. (Not to play favorites, but the minty Rachelle was particularly tasty.) Soulful singer/songwriter, Sophia Bastian sang as attendees ate delicious, elevated, comfort food, family style. By the end of the night, attendees had spilled out onto the street, everyone eager to continue the party, even in the pouring rain.

In celebration of its 90th year, Belstaff got the gang together at its Madison Avenue home on Wednesday night for a look at the limited edition “Union Jack” Trailmaster jacket (an anniversary exclusive) and a limited edition coffee table book featuring “Belstaffians” like Kate Moss, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Amelia Earhart, and Steve McQueen — all the coolest.

If you needed another reason to start planning the road trip that’s been on your YOLO list since, well forever, click play on this video immediately.

David Beckham, as ambassador to cult fashion label Belstaff, is filmed zipping through the English countryside, clad head-to-toe in leather (of course), with his gang of equally handsome biker chums. The group wears get-ups typical for the brand that made its name in traditional outerwear. Think shrunken moto-jackets, loose-fit leather pants, and biker boots.

Belstaff celebrated Unseen McQueen at the beautiful (and can I say wonderful smelling? Must be the candles…) Madison Avenue store recently, exhibiting photographs taken by Barry Feinstein of his dear friend, the actor Steve McQueen. Their shared passion for motorcycles fuels the subjects of many of the photos – and really, there isn’t much out there that’s better than a photograph of Steve McQueen on or near a motorcycle.

The New York event coincided with a larger London exhibition of the 60 limited-edition prints, a few motorcycles, and the original car from 1968’s Bullitt, currently on view at The Custom Factory (32 Brewer Street, 3rd Fl in London’s Soho). The proceeds support Worth, Belstaff’s charitable partner. Fittingly, Worth teaches at-risk youth the art (and hopefully zen) of vintage motorcycle maintenance.

If unable to make it to The Custom Factory to see the London exhibition in person, a book collecting Feinstein’s McQueen images is available for sale via Reel Art Press. The photographs are available for purchase through The Custom Factory and at Belstaff stores.

Only a month and a half out – cue panic – from the new and improved New York fashion week, we can’t help but wonder what designers will bestow upon us this coming season. If the pre fall collections are any indication of what’s to come, we’ll be seeing an inundation of fringe, plenty of pleats and lots of lace. Plaids and floral will be prominent pattern stories, as will the black and white pairings that we saw this past spring. Big volume will remain a big player. And Bermuda shorts will make an impressive comeback.

(Above) Lace Resort

Seen at: Burberry, Jason Wu, Rag & Bone

Dark, dramatic lace could be found all throughout the pre fall collections. This season’s lace felt romantic, sensual and not in the least bit girly.

Bermuda Triangle

Seen at: ALC, Rag & Bone, Thakoon, Band of Outsiders

Reminiscent of a schoolboy uniform from private schools past, Bermuda shorts came back in a more tailored way. Rather than being oversized and slouchy they were grown up – a crisp, formal approach to the menswear trend.

Compare and Contrast

Seen at: DKNY, Donna Karan, Alice & Olivia, Narciso Rodriguez

The back and white pairings that dominated spring runways came back bolder and even more graphic. The contrasting colors felt distinctly harder, tougher, and seemed to harken back to the 1960s.

Cowgirls and Indians

Seen at: Chanel, Derek Lam, Alexander Wang, Nicole Miller

Cowboy hats, boots, and fringe, oh my. Epitomized by Chanel’s show in Dallas, the cowboy trend was more apparent than ever. Fringe found itself on everything from bags to the backs of dresses and broad rimmed hats and over the knee boots.

In Full Bloom

Seen at: Badgley Mischka, Erdem, Alice & Olivia, Temperley London

A perennial trend, flowers bloomed bold and beautiful this fall. In pastel pink and brooding black, blooms were rendered in a dozen different ways. We loved the graphic interpretations as well as the retro inspired prints.

A Plaiditude

Seen at: Altuzarra, Belstaff, Rachel Comey, Thakoon

Cleaning up the grungy plaids of last fall, this season’s tartans are crisp and classic with a modern twist. Interpreted in new color combinations and shapes the plaid feels reinvigorated and new.